The Cubs announced that they’ve claimed left-hander C.D. Pelham off waivers from the Rangers. The move brings Chicago’s 40-man roster to a count of 38 players. Texas has also announced the move, adding that right-hander Taylor Guerrieri went unclaimed on waivers and has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Nashville.
Pelham, 24, boasts a blistering fastball that averaged better than 96 mph in his 2018 MLB debut, but the former 33rd-round pick struggled through a poor season in the upper minors in 2019. Pelham allowed 43 runs in 32 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season and walked more batters (40) than he struck out (37).
The waiver claim is likely about the appealing nature of Pelham’s raw pitch arsenal, but there’s clearly an enormous amount of work to be done in order to refine the lefty. Still, with a pair of open spots on the 40-man roster, there’s little harm in placing a claim — and the Cubs could always try to pass Pelham through waivers themselves in order to keep him in the organization without committing a 40-man spot.
As for Guerrieri, he once ranked as one of the game’s premier pitching prospects in his days with the Tampa Bay organization, but injuries have largely derailed much of the promise he once showed. The 26-year-old (27 next week) posted a 5.68 ERA in 26 1/3 innings at the MLB level in 2019, although his 3.47 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 3.8 BB/9 and 55.7 percent grounder rate in Triple-A offer more encouragement.
Someone go tell John Travolta.
That was funny.
1-2-3
They took Pelham!
Pelham is a good project for Hottovy and the pitching lab.
Next few months, the 37th, 38th 39th & 40th roster spots will be going in and out with the Cubs. Players will be here for just a cup of coffee.
The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3.
Minus the king’s ransom!
Cubbies make big splashes, dumpster diving theo strikes again.
How original of you. Did you ask your boyfriend chisox to use his trademark slogan?
He did. He’s a smart man
What’s it like to be so incompetent that you only think one organization makes move like this chitown? Like why don’t you do it for 29 other teams? Too much of an inferiority complex? You make it very hard to feel bad for an otherwise long suffering fan base. And a likeable on the rise team.
Forgot to log out of chitown before you respond for chisox again…
Haha ChiSox is busted
He did not. As you are both the same person
Oh Jeezuth Chwist, the Cubs are bad! Ohhh
Theo probably doesn’t celebrate Christmas….but he does shop in the land of misfit toys or in the case players.
Theo’s a smart man and a smarter husband. I can guarantee you he does not shop at the thrift mart when buying his beautiful wife a Christmas present.
Not to smart couldn’t housebreak his dog
Theo is also jewish…so you’re correct, he likely doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Doesn’t excuse idiotic comments that hold no weight on a chat board.
this guy has been overrated since that one good year in the mid minors.
You just looked up his stats and then decided to say that. Just now, That’s what you did.
ive thought this since people started thinking he was the next big thing a few years ago, but whatever you say.
A “blistering fastball” at 96mph hardly distinguishes Pelham from a large group of pitchers. 40 walks and 37 strikeouts in 32 innings certainly does, and not in a good way.
Dumpster Divin’ Theo strikes at Thanksgiving!
Ohhhh Jeezuth Chwist I agree!!!!
Well, as a Cubs fan I was hoping for Smith but he signs with Atlanta. Then I was thinking Pomeranz but he signs with San Diego. So the Cubs sign Cotton and Pelham. I know it’s been well documented in this off season that Mr. Ricketts wants to stay below the tax threshold which is at 208 million this season. But C’mon man. Can we do something better here?
Maybe they can do something with this guy and Cotton.
Santa Claus is also coming to town….. Ho Ho Ho!!!
Good depth signing!
Yaaaaaaaaaaay! ((Eye role))
Theo found himself a potential left-handed janitor for the Cubs bullpen. C.D. Pelham can mop the floor of Maikel Cleto and reach the ceiling of Carlos Marmol.
Both moves are low risk moves. Hope is one might turn things around in the organization. A team always looks for diamonds in the rough. We could use a pitcher that throws this hard also.
I,too, would like to see the Cubs sign some really good free agent pitchers. But the Cubs can not afford it. I am sure Ricketts is not at all happy that even with the 3rd highest payroll in baseball, Theo could not even bring home a wild card team. And frankly, if it was me, I would be pissed also. As a matter of fact, I am pissed. The Cubs also went over the tax threshold and paid a penalty and still no playoff team. I have no problem with the Cubs getting players like Pelham and rolling the dice that you can turn them into useful pitchers.